Mastering cURL with Python using ProxyTee

Ryan

• 3 min read
Mastering cURL with Python using ProxyTee

cURL is a powerful command-line tool for transferring data over various network protocols, including HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and more. While Python has built-in libraries for handling some of these tasks, utilizing cURL functionality with third-party libraries like PycURL can provide more advanced features and better performance. This post explores how to use the cURL command within Python code, focusing on the advantages ProxyTee can offer when dealing with web requests.

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Installing PycURL

First, you need to install the PycURL library:

pip install pycurl

This command will download and install PycURL with its dependencies, allowing you to use Python cURL commands.

GET Requests with PycURL

Here is how to execute a GET request with PycURL:

import pycurl
from io import BytesIO

buffer = BytesIO()

c = pycurl.Curl()
c.setopt(c.URL, 'https://httpbin.org/get')
c.setopt(c.WRITEDATA, buffer)
c.perform()
c.close()

body = buffer.getvalue()

print(body.decode('utf-8'))

In this example, a PycURL object is created, the URL is set, and a buffer stores the response data.

POST Requests with PycURL

Here is how to send a POST request with PycURL:

import pycurl
from io import BytesIO

data = {
    "field1": "value1",
    "field2": "value2"
}

post_data = "&".join([f"{k}={v}" for k, v in data.items()])

buffer = BytesIO()

c = pycurl.Curl()
c.setopt(c.URL, "https://httpbin.org/post")
c.setopt(c.POSTFIELDS, post_data)
c.setopt(c.WRITEDATA, buffer)
c.perform()
c.close()

response = buffer.getvalue()

print(response.decode("utf-8"))

This code creates a dictionary with data, converts it to query string, and sets POSTFIELDS.

Sending Custom HTTP Headers

Custom headers can also be included in GET requests. Here’s how to include headers with a GET request:

import pycurl
from io import BytesIO

headers = [
    "User-Agent: Python-PycURL",
    "Accept: application/json"
]

buffer = BytesIO()

c = pycurl.Curl()
c.setopt(c.URL, "https://httpbin.org/headers")
c.setopt(c.HTTPHEADER, headers)
c.setopt(c.WRITEDATA, buffer)
c.perform()
c.close()

response = buffer.getvalue()

print(response.decode("utf-8"))

This example shows how to set a custom user-agent and content type.

Sending JSON Data with PycURL

Here is how to send JSON data in a POST request:

import pycurl
import json
from io import BytesIO

data = {
    'field1': 'value1',
    'field2': 'value2'
}

post_data = json.dumps(data)

headers = [
    'Content-Type: application/json'
]

buffer = BytesIO()

c = pycurl.Curl()
c.setopt(c.URL, 'https://httpbin.org/post')
c.setopt(c.POSTFIELDS, post_data)
c.setopt(c.HTTPHEADER, headers)
c.setopt(c.WRITEDATA, buffer)
c.perform()
c.close()

response = buffer.getvalue()

print(response.decode('utf-8'))

The data dictionary is converted to a JSON string, and the Content-Type header is set.

Handling Redirects

PycURL can automatically follow HTTP redirects:

import pycurl
from io import BytesIO

buffer = BytesIO()

c = pycurl.Curl()
c.setopt(c.URL, "http://httpbin.org")
c.setopt(c.FOLLOWLOCATION, 1)
c.setopt(c.WRITEDATA, buffer)
c.perform()
c.close()

response = buffer.getvalue()

print(response.decode("utf-8"))

By setting FOLLOWLOCATION to 1, PycURL automatically follows redirects.

Getting Only HTTP Headers

To retrieve only headers:

import pycurl

def process_header(header_line):
    print(header_line.decode('utf-8').strip())

c = pycurl.Curl()
c.setopt(c.URL, 'https://httpbin.org/headers')
c.setopt(c.HEADERFUNCTION, process_header)
c.setopt(c.NOBODY, 1)
c.perform()
c.close()

A custom function process_header processes the headers. Setting NOBODY to 1 prevents the response body from downloading.

Conclusion

Using cURL with Python via PycURL and combining its strengths with ProxyTee’s advanced features allows you to build powerful web scraping and data gathering solutions. ProxyTee’s Unlimited Residential Proxies, combined with features such as unlimited bandwidth, global IP coverage, multiple protocol support and a user-friendly interface, provide a robust foundation for all your online tasks. Explore ProxyTee today and enhance your Python-based projects. Visit our homepage to get started and explore our products, including Residential Proxies and Datacenter Proxies. Check Use Cases for inspiration.

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Blog Python Web Scraping API